Independent Bank CEO Jeff Tengel shares lymphoma diagnosis

Jeff Tengel, the president and CEO of Independent Bank Corp. in Rockland, Mass., informed employees that he has been diagnosed with lymphoma but plans to keep leading the bank while undergoing treatment.

Tengel wrote in the letter that he recently began chemotherapy.

“I have recently been diagnosed with lymphoma,” Tengel wrote. “It’s not easy news to deliver, but I’m receiving excellent care, and the type of cancer I have is highly treatable.”

Tengel said he expects to make a full recovery and intends to remain engaged in the bank’s operations while adjusting his schedule as needed during treatment. He noted that the company’s executive leadership team and board have been informed and have expressed their full support.

“We have an exceptional leadership team, and I have complete confidence in our collective ability to keep moving forward and achieve all of the strategic goals we have established,” Tengel wrote.

One visible change employees may notice, he said, is that he will be limiting attendance at large gatherings while undergoing chemotherapy, which can weaken the immune system. As a result, he may miss some employee events or celebrations that he would normally attend.

“If you notice I am not at an event I would typically attend, please know it’s because I’m adhering to the treatment plan that I’ve been advised to follow,” he said.

Despite the diagnosis, Tengel emphasized that the company’s strategic direction remains unchanged.

“Our strategy remains intact. Our mission remains unchanged. And my belief in the collective team has never been stronger,” he wrote.